'In a speech in October 1999, Minister of State for
Defence David Lim revealed that the SAF has developed secret
capabilities, which he called 'sliver bullets', for use only in
'extreme conditions'. This apparently confirmed the long-rumoured
existence of MINDEF's 'black programmes', based on clandestine
local defence R&D. Uncorroborated reports suggest that
Singapore may have experimented with binary artillery shells and
air-delivered bombs suitable for use with chemical agents, and in
the mid-1990s allegedly showed interest in 120 km-range Russian
SS-21 surface-to-surface missiles. However, bearing in mind
Singapore's close relations with western powers and its signatory
status in relation to international agreements such as the
Non-Proliferation Treaty, Biological Warfare Convention and
Convention on Chemical Weapons, it is highly unlikely that the
republic has either developed or acquired weapons of mass
destruction.'
--- Tim Huxley, Defending the
Lion City (254)
Singapore definitely has the ability to manufacture chemical and
biological weapons since the technologies for doing so are
essentialy dual-use i.e. for both military and civilian purposes
and we do currently possess vibrant chemicals and pharmaceutical
industries. The only question is political will to do so. The usage
of such weapons will invoke widespead outrage but note that WMDs
are a weapon of last resort, intended for defensive/deterrent
rather than offensive/compellent purposes.
Nukes are a separate question since their technologies are closely
guarded and the scale of operations is such that it is impossible
to hide their existence. Furthermore, acquiring nukes will prompt
our neigbours to balance against us. This can already be seen in
Malaysia's arms acquisitions which are aimed at us. Indeed,
Pakistan acquired its nuclear capability following India's lead and
there are now speculations that Japan'll acquire them too following
N Korea. What's more, the blast from nuclear explosions may be
limited but the radioactive fallout is over a wide area. Given the
proximity of S'pore to our neighbours, winds'll carry the
radioactive dust to our shores, affect our food supply from
Malaysia etc.. Not feasible. The damage from nukes are long-term
and given the interdependence between Malaysia, Indonesia and
Singapore, we will be practically committing suicide.